Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Modification of paper using polyhydroxybutyrate to obtain biomimetic superhydrophobic substrates

Abstract

Inspired in nature, the creation of synthetic superhydrophobic surfaces is nowadays a major object of study, with many potential applications in different fields. The fabrication of such substrates has been dominated by the use of non biodegradable and poorly flexible materials, using expensive and complex procedures. To overcome this issue, we propose a simple concept for fabricating low-cost, biodegradable, and flexible biomimeticsuperhydrophobic materials, using paper as substrate. The methodology includes the precipitation of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) on the surface of cellulose fibers of papers using a phase separation process. The obtained surfaces showed a rough texture, at both micro and nano length scales and an apparent water contact angle of 153.0 +/- 0.7 degrees. Furthermore we showed that argon plasma treatment increases the surface wettability and it is possible tocontrol the wettability in certain regions by using adequate hollowed masks. Such findings could be used for the production of cheap open-microfluidic or lab-on-chip devices, using materials from renewable resources.

Journal
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
Volume
416
Pagination
51-55
Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
ISSN
0927-7757
URL
http://apps.webofknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=7&SID=R26mYWbF6MIAgV5us3R&page=1&doc=1
Keywords
Biomimetic, Microfluidic devices, Patterned paper, superhydrophobic surfaces
Rights
Open Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
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